Farmers looking to cut carbon

Beef and sheep producers are looking for new technologies to make them more efficient and lower their costs and carbon footprint.

Organisers of the inaugural AgriLIVE Smithfield event - the Royal Agricultural Society of England and the Royal Smithfield Club - reported that visitors to the show wanted information on new technologies which would improve their ability to produce beef and lamb that consumers want.

Event director Alice Bell said: “It was appropriate that, at a time when world leaders were gathering in Copenhagen to discuss climate change issues, that our red meat producers were at Stoneleigh, getting briefed on the technologies that will do something practical about securing food production using environmentally friendly systems.”

AgriLIVE Smithfield set out to tackle the challenges of climate change, sustainability and difficult market conditions and gave the 7,500 visitors access to innovations, information and advice.

The event also provided a new platform for the Royal Smithfield Club primestock judging classes which attracted 282 cattle entries and 168 sheep entries. Prices in the auctions reached all time highs; the Merial Supreme Champion Pen of Lambs bought for £4,500 each is thought to be a record price paid for a pair of lambs.